Preventing suicide in homeless youth who use substances
Official title: Suicide Prevention with Substance Using Youth Experiencing Homelessness
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11093358 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for ways to help young people who are homeless and dealing with substance use by providing them with special therapy to improve their mental health and reduce thoughts of suicide.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $784,805 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA058627-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11093358 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are homeless youth aged 12-24 who are using substances and have experienced suicidal thoughts or attempts.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing homelessness or substance use may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing effective prevention strategies for youth experiencing homelessness who also struggle with substance use. It aims to address the high rates of mental health disorders and suicide attempts within this vulnerable population. By utilizing cognitive therapy interventions, the study will engage both service-connected and service-disconnected youth to ensure a comprehensive approach. Participants will be recruited from a local drop-in center and will receive tailored cognitive therapy aimed at reducing suicidal ideation and improving mental health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce suicide rates and improve mental health among homeless youth who use substances.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited research specifically targeting this population, similar cognitive therapy approaches have shown promise in improving mental health outcomes in other at-risk youth groups.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Slesnick, Natasha — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Slesnick, Natasha
Related research
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.